Rubberlike flexibility of new PVC elastomer jacket compounds eases handling of industrial cables

22-Feb-13

Two PVC elastomer compounds for jacketing of industrial and heavy-duty cables exhibit flexibility even at very low temperatures and provide a property profile comparable to more costly high-performance materials widely used in such applications, it was announced today by Teknor Apex Company. Flexalloy® 9611-76 and 9612-75 compounds exhibit brittle points of -60 ºC or lower and provide the oil resistance, flame retardance, and wide range of operating temperatures required in such applications as control and instrumentation cables (Type CIC), tray cables (TC), and specialty power cords like those for charging electric vehicles. The new compounds have property profiles that compare well with those of the rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and other high-performance thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) used in these cables, yet they are more cost-effective, according to Mike Patel, industry manager for the Vinyl Division of Teknor Apex. Typical Types CIC and TC uses are in the petrochemical, pulp and paper, steel, cement, and mining industries. “Cables for these applications are often large and can be difficult to handle—especially at low temperatures—if the jacket materials lack sufficient flexibility,” said Mr. Patel. “The extremely low brittleness temperatures of our new Flexalloy compounds enable them to comply with stringent cold-weather requirements such as that specified by the CSA’s -40 ºC cable impact test.”